Biography

In 2023, Rafa Lara released as Showrunner / Director / Screen Writer the epic historical war series "PANCHO VILLA: CENTAUR OF THE NORTH", about the life of General Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution at the dawn of 20th Century. On July 2023 was released worldwide on Disney / Star+ in more than 20 languages.

Rafa Lara began his career as Director of Film, TV and advertising at age 19. In 2004 he created as show runner in the United States, "The Edge of the Law", the first Latin drama serial on the same standards and production system of the U.S. TV Serials. He has Direct Publicity Campaigns for brands like TOYOTA, KIA, Johny Walker, BMW, Daewoo, Panasonic, PEMEX, Corona Beer, Coca Cola, among others. In all his films Rafa Lara has been the Director, Writer, Producer and Editor, and as Showrunner on Series, working with the top actors and actresses in the Spanish market.

"La Milagrosa" (Colombia, 2008), his debut film, is an big production-action film embodied in a war drama framed in the Colombian conflict and kidnappings by guerrillas. Nominated as Best First Feature Film on the prestigious Warsaw International Film Festival.

"The Fifth Commandment" (Mexico, 2010), is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a lonely young serial murderer of teenage girls. The film tackles the controversial subject of pedophilia.

"Red Lips" (Mexico, 2011), is a romantic comedy that became one of the most successful Mexican movies on its year of release.

"Cinco de Mayo, The Battle" (Mexico, 2013), is an epic/historical/war film, and the biggest budget production so far in the history of Mexican cinema. Lara was selected by the Government of Puebla to lead it, as part of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla.

"Nothing happens here" (Mexico, 2014) is a Human Rights and political themed short film, that won the Silver Goddes award as best Mexican short film of the year, among other international awards and selections in several film festivals.

"Size does matter" (Mexico, 2016) is a romantic comedy was theatrical released in Mexico and USA by the beginning of 2017, becoming one of the more successful films in Box Office, and also invited to several Film Festival, even as the main or opening gala.

Jesus Of Nazaret (Spain, 2017), it's a Biblical-Epic movie that tells the main event in Jesus Christ's life. A big international production planned to be released worldwide on 2020.

In 2018 returns to Direct the high budget action series "Steel Lady" for Telemundo International.

In 2019 works as General Director and Showrunner / Executive Producer of the comedy series "We're not dumb" (De Brutas Nada), for SONY Pictures, released worldwide on Amazon Prime in 2020, with huge success resulting in 3 seasons until 2023.

In 2020 Lara directs, produces and co-writes his newest film, a comedy entitled "Family Son".

Rafa Lara is developing another War Series, a new Horror Movie, an historical novel adaptation for film and an Historical War series about Gilberto Bosques, the Mexican consul in France during the World War II, known as "the Mexican Schlinder" for saving 5000 Jews and 40000 Spaniards from the Nazis.
- IMDb mini biography by: Rafa Lara

Mexican-Spanish Citizenship, bilingual. A creator of original content, who likes to be the ignition point for new concepts, projects, genres or formats in Cinema, TV and Advertising. Rafa Lara started in the field of audiovisual production at the age of 19, now with more than 30 years of uninterrupted experience; always leading his teams, with knowledge of Direction, Production, Music, Editing, Design, Screenwriting. Passionate about traveling and teamwork, with knowledge of administration / economics, and extensive experience in managing large budgets. English 100%
- IMDb mini biography by: Rafael Lara Ruiz

Rafa Lara is a Mexican-Spanish Showrunner, Director, Executive Producer and Writer with more than 30 years of uninterrupted experience developing and producing film and television projects for international studios, broadcasters and global streaming platforms.

Bilingual and based between Mexico and Spain, Lara has built a career leading large-scale productions across creative and executive roles, working with companies including Sony Pictures Television, Disney, Amazon and major media groups throughout Latin America and international markets.

Among his recent work, Lara served as Showrunner, Director and Writer of "Pancho Villa: Centaur of the North", the epic historical series about General Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution, released worldwide by Disney / Star+ in more than 20 languages.

He also served as General Director, Showrunner and Executive Producer of Sony Pictures Television's hit comedy-drama series "De Brutas Nada", released globally through Amazon Prime Video, which ran successfully for three seasons and reached international audiences across multiple territories.

In feature films, Lara directed "Cinco de Mayo: The Battle", one of the largest scale productions in Mexican cinema history, recipient of Ariel Awards recognition for visual achievements and widely recognized for its production scope.

His work spans premium scripted television, feature films and large-scale international productions, combining creative leadership with extensive experience managing major productions, multidisciplinary teams and premium original intellectual property.

In 2026, Lara premieres a new Disney+ series filmed in Spain while continuing to expand ESTIRPE, the production company he founded, with operations in Madrid and Guadalajara, Mexico, focused on premium original IP and international co-productions connecting Europe and Latin America.

His current slate includes premium film and television projects designed for global audiences, with a focus on elevated genre storytelling, historical narratives and internationally scalable original content.
- IMDb mini biography by: Rafa Lara